When you study for a test, exam, spelling bee, interview, the time and effort, quality and focus reflect on your confidence and most of the time, the outcome.

Walking to a start line, pep in my step the same way I did (that one time) walking into chemistry 10, singing the periodic table to a tune...as apposed to writing down as many elements as you can on the inside your graphing calculator.

I lean over to clip my skis on, I'm humming the sweet sound of all the hours training and work I did from May to December to get to that point. Your mindset and poise is exactly the same.

Between the months of May to November you train, train, train. Hours and hours of intensity focused, repetition and work of precision so that when the pedal has to hit the floor, there is no doubt that I will be able to motor.

A couple weeks ago I qualified to race for Canada at the U23 World Championships in Rasnov, Romania. It was a huge goal of mine when preparing for this winter, without question, but its only part one of the greater picture. Now that I am going to race in the red and white, I'm not going to compete, I am going to be competitive, regardless if it is only my first time to the big dance.

Excitement for the trip has been building since I was told I qualified for the team. A couple days and I will be on a plane; skis, duffle, back pack, and the work of 700 hours in my legs.

Calm race morning in Silver Star.

Photo: Martin Kaiser

Quarter of Skate Sprints. Photo: Martin Kaiser

15km Classic Photo: Martin Kaiser

Coach and I

Sunshine

Sunshine

Training in Kananaskis Country

After trials I put in my second biggest volume block of the year, spending three days at altitude. Day 1: Kananaskis Country

Day 2: Mount Shark

Day 3: Lake Louise

I plan on posting as many photos from this point on as I can of my trip to Worlds and the rest of my season. Stay tuned.

Last Monday I took a road trip. I piled a few pairs of skis into my hatch back, a small bag of clothes, a tooth brush and headed west. Guiding my little green Focus through the elements of Rogers Pass and twisting through the undulating Rockies I made it to Vernon, British Columbia.

It was my first solo trip of any real distance. The stack of accessible driver friendly food that sat in the passenger seat was more than enough for a trip twice the length. You can never be too careful, never want to go hangry behind the wheel.

With the help of hummus and homemade bread, my little focus and I powered through and made it to Vernon. Even though it was my 8th time headed to Vernon's Winter Wonderland, I was once again in awe of the perfectly groomed fresh tracks and piles of fresh fluffy snow.

After three days skiing and training in Silver Star and Sovereign Lake I piled my skis back into the Focus, brimmed my tank, and set off back to Canmore. The company of Steven Fry reciting Harry Potter kept me focused and alert on the journey home.

Over the course of the previous week I have been fine tuning and tweaking for the start of the race season. I am relaxed and feeling more confident then ever. First races of the season will take place in Canmore, and then back to Silver Star.

Amazing sights along the drive

Life through a lens. Photo: Katherine Stewart-Jones

Everyone likes treats

It was great to meet and stay with Kit and Len in there quaint farm house.